Wheelchair or ECV?

[momhmmx2]

I just booked our vacation yesterday
Then found out today that I will most likely be having surgery on my foot just prior to our trip

So I will have crutches, but I know there is NO WAY I will be able to do the parks with them..

After reading many of the posts I have pretty much decided to rent from an outside company. With that being said...Would you recommend a wheelchair or an ECV?? My dh and 2 kids (12,9) will be traveling with me and all 3 are able bodied pushers... We will be there for 8 days..

What do you think?
Thanks for your help!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Sorry to hear you'll be on crutches for your trip, but a set of wheels certainly sounds like a good idea. I'd suggest an ECV, so you can drive yourself. That way you can decide what you see; you can trundle around the shops at your own speed; and even go on ahead to collect Fastpasses, if you want!

It would probably be a good idea to practice driving at your resort, before you try the buses. They're not too difficult to do (though I've only done them in my manual chair, rather than an ECV), but it would be good to get your confidence up. You will have to be able to drive in both directions, forwards and backwards; reverse straight and turning; and parallel park.

All of the companies listed in the FAQ thread have had good reviews from people on these boards, and will deliver to your resort. If you want, they can usually fix crutch holders on the back, for a nominal charge (something like $10 for the whole rental I think, but I'm not certain).

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I know exactly how you feel.

I had knee surgery last Wednesday and we leave for DL in 15 days.

We have rented a scooter for me. I am comfortable with it and it's far more freedom than a wheelchair.

The wheelchair will require someone to push you most places and the uphills could be tiring at the end of the day.

Years ago we rented a wheelchair for a friend who has parkinsons. It was SOOOO annoying to push around that he actually WALKED .... bless his heart......for the trip.


Have fun - get some decorations for the scooter. Set aside 30 minutes or so the first day to practice. Head out to the parking lot and park alongside curbs, tight turns, etc.

I'm sorry you will not be able to walk - I know the frustration. Have a great trip.

 

[peemagg]

Between now and when you leave I would go to a grocery store or Walmart and practice with those scooters. If you can drive them and park them fairly easily you shouldn't have much trouble with the rental. The ones in stores are much more difficult than the rental type.

 

[bidnow5]

Scooters are the way to go even able bodied pusher get tired there are lots of hills. Renting a scooter was the best thing I ever did to make a great place better

 

[franandaj]

Go with the ECV! First off you will be in control of your mobility, when you run over the small children who cut in front of you at least it will be your fault and not those who are pushing you!

I know the few times that I pushed someone in a wheelchair, I never did it right, I was always clipped other people's heels, rolled them into walls, etc. Pushing a wheelchair is not as easy as it seems.

ECVs are easy to operate and Disney staff are familiar with them. You'll be pleased to be under your own control and your family will be happy not to have to push you, especially at certain points like the hill at the International Gateway from BCV or BWV, or others that I could tell you about having to push someone in a wheelchair all over Disneyworld!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Go with the ECV! First off you will be in control of your mobility, when you run over the small children who cut in front of you at least it will be your fault and not those who are pushing you!

I know the few times that I pushed someone in a wheelchair, I never did it right, I was always clipped other people's heels, rolled them into walls, etc. Pushing a wheelchair is not as easy as it seems.

Yup, my partner still occasionally does this with me when he's tired, and he's had 4 years' practice !

 

[Momelie]

ECV, definitely ECV. I have both, and only on very crowded days (like crowd level 10+, or Star Wars Weekends) do I resort to a wheelchair.

You will appreciate your independence and mobility, your family will also appreciate it as well (trust me!).

But do go and practice now - if you can find it, practice on something more like the ones you will actually rent than the behemoths at the grocery stores, though. Then again, if you can drive those, you'll think anything else is like a sports car, LOL!